Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Department of Orthopedics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine;
J Vis Exp. 2023 Sep 8(199). doi: 10.3791/65880.
Bone microstructure refers to the arrangement and quality of bone tissue at the microscopic level. Understanding the bone microstructure of the skeleton is crucial for gaining insight into the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and improving its treatment. However, handling bone samples can be complex due to their hard and dense properties. Secondly, specialized software makes image processing and analysis difficult. In this protocol, we present a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution for trabecular bone microstructure analysis. Detailed steps and precautions are provided. Micro-CT is a non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique that provides high-resolution images of trabecular bone structure. It allows for the objective and quantitative evaluation of bone quality, which is why it is widely regarded as the gold standard method for bone quality assessment. However, histomorphometry remains indispensable as it offers crucial cellular-level parameters, bridging the gap between two-dimensional (2D) and 3D assessments of bone specimens. As for the histologic techniques, we chose to decalcify the bone tissue and then perform traditional paraffin embedding. In summary, combining these two methods can provide more comprehensive and accurate information on bone microstructure.
骨微结构是指骨骼微观水平上的骨组织排列和质量。了解骨骼的骨微结构对于深入了解骨质疏松症的病理生理学机制并改善其治疗方法至关重要。然而，由于骨骼样本的坚硬和致密特性，处理这些样本可能会很复杂。其次，专用软件使得图像的处理和分析变得困难。在本方案中，我们提出了一种经济实用且易于使用的方法，用于分析小梁骨的微结构。提供了详细的步骤和注意事项。微计算机断层扫描（Micro-CT）是一种非破坏性的三维（3D）成像技术，可提供小梁骨结构的高分辨率图像。它允许对骨质量进行客观和定量的评估，这就是为什么它被广泛认为是骨质量评估的金标准方法。然而，组织形态计量学仍然不可或缺，因为它提供了关键的细胞水平参数，弥补了骨标本二维（2D）和三维（3D）评估之间的差距。至于组织学技术，我们选择对骨组织进行脱钙，然后进行传统的石蜡包埋。总之，将这两种方法结合使用可以提供更全面和准确的骨微结构信息。
